PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Falcone (ranked 100 p4p, 258 weight class) and Shane Raffington (ranked 15 p4p, 35 weight class). Falcone comes to the cage accompanied by Goodfellas - long take restaurant scene. Raffington has chosen Logan Lucky as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Falcone
vs
Raffington

191 cm
29
191
22 - 5 - 1

182 cm
26
200
10 - 5 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Shadow Warrior Nutrition
Aspire Clothing

HELLBENT
UnderGround Clothing Co.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Anthony Falcone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Shane Raffington!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Chris Edwards and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Raffington chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A left lands for Raffington.
Falcone throws a quick inside leg kick.
Raffington connects with a body shot.
Shane Raffington seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Raffington takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Raffington throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Falcone counter with a right hand.
Falcone has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Falcone wants to land a leg kick but Raffington is out of range.
Falcone throws a jab but it's blocked by Raffington.
Falcone with a jab.
Raffington swings widly with a right hand
and Falcone cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Raffington fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Raffington throws the kick towards the body but Falcone avoids it.
Falcone displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Raffington throws out the jab.
Raffington ducks under a wild hook from Falcone.
Raffington lands a leg kick that knocks Falcone off balance momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raffington throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Falcone throws a jab but it's blocked by Raffington.
Raffington fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Falcone has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Falcone throws a leg kick but Raffington checks it.
Falcone just misses with a punch to the body.
Falcone misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Raffington.
Raffington throws a hook to the side of Falcone's head but Falcone sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Raffington looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Raffington throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Falcone counter with a right hand.
Raffington with a jab.
Falcone walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Falcone doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Raffington has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Raffington tries to land a body kick
and Falcone counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Falcone thows a left - swing and a miss!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Raffington with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Falcone clobbers Raffington with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Falcone is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Falcone takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Falcone scores with a decent looking hook.
Falcone tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Raffington was well out of range. Poor timing from Falcone.
A slapping body kick lands there for Raffington.
Raffington throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Falcone on the side of the head.
Falcone works Raffington's body with a nice hook.
Raffington lands with a good body shot.
Falcone waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Raffington.
Raffington throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Falcone counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Falcone scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Raffington.
A low kick from Raffington is predictable there
and Falcone counters with a nice low kick that buckles Raffington's knee momentarily.
Falcone connects with an inside leg kick.
Raffington goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Raffington lands a right hook to the body.
A jab from Raffington misses.
Raffington lands with a cross.
Falcone takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Falcone throws a body shot but no joy.
Falcone has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Raffington finds it's way round the side to connect with Falcone's head.
Falcone throws a big shot that misses.
Raffington changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raffington takes a shot right to the bread basket.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Falcone blocks a jab.
Falcone throws out a loose jab but Raffington uses good head movement to avoid it.
Falcone uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Raffington.
Raffington looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Falcone is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Falcone throws a half hearted mid kick.
Raffington tries a quick counter leg kick but Falcone is wise to it.
Raffington swinging wildly here.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Falcone. Raffington shrugs it off though.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Falcone checks a low kick from Raffington.
Falcone fakes the leg kick and cracks Raffington in the body.
Raffington looks winded!
Falcone misses with a kick to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Anthony Falcone will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Falcone lands a nice shot to the body.
Raffington lands a nice hook to Falcone's body. Falcone takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Raffington has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Falcone.
Raffington throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Anthony Falcone is winning the standup battle so far.
Falcone misses with a body shot.
Raffington throws a counter combo.
Raffington throws a body kick, spinning off balance
letting Falcone counter with a right hand.
Raffington throws a leg kick
and Falcone counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Raffington darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Falcone just misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Falcone cracks Raffington with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Raffington takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Raffington takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Raffington is breathing heavily.
Falcone ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Raffington moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raffington stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Falcone.
Falcone throws a jab but it's blocked by Raffington.
Raffington ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Falcone moves away.
An inside leg kick lands from Falcone.
Falcone darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Raffington misses with a low kick.
Falcone circles away from the clinch attempt.
Good work by Falcone as he checks the leg kick.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with each other but Raffington might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Falcone has got the better of the exchanges.
Raffington chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Falcone can pounce on him.
Falcone throws a looping overhand right but Raffington ducks down to avoid it.
Raffington scores with a leg kick.
Falcone lands the left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raffington comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Raffington takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Falcone dips to his left and cracks Raffington with an uppercut!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Raffington lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Raffington cracks Falcone with a good jab.
Raffington throws a hook to the side of Falcone's head but Falcone sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Falcone connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Raffington's hands.
Raffington misses with a low kick.
Raffington scores with a leg kick.
Raffington on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Nice cross by Raffington.
Raffington misses with a straight left.
Falcone swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Raffington doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Falcone is looking to slow Raffington down with leg kicks.
Falcone ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Raffington moves away.
Falcone lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Raffington moves out of range of the body kick from Falcone.
Raffington scoring well with a low kick there.
Raffington cracks a nice hook into Falcone's ribs.
A telegraphed right hand from Falcone misses the target.
Raffington just misses with a punch to the body.
Raffington's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Raffington uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Falcone.
Falcone thows a left - swing and a miss!
Raffington misses with a body kick.
Raffington looks to throw the jab but Falcone is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Falcone misses with a straight left.
Raffington scores with a jab. Falcone acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Raffington uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Falcone.
Raffington misses with a low kick as Falcone jumps back.
Raffington scores with a spinning back kick!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Falcone on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Raffington throws a hook but Falcone avoids it easily.
Falcone swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Raffington lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Raffington takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Falcone connects with an inside leg kick.
Raffington lands a nice leg kick that just misses Falcone's sensitive parts.
Falcone lands with a thumping leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Falcone dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Raffington ducks under a wild hook from Falcone.
Raffington slips a jab from Falcone.
Raffington bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Raffington misses with a leg kick
letting Falcone counter with a right hand.
Raffington lands with a straight right. Falcone didn't see that one coming.
Falcone moves out of range as Raffington strikes.
Falcone keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Falcone with the inside leg kick.
Raffington scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Falcone throws a low kick but Raffington avoids it.
Raffington throws a hook but Falcone blocks it.
Raffington throws a front kick aimed at Falcone's knee but Falcone avoids it well.
Falcone fires out a quick counter leg kick but Raffington just manages to avoid it.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Falcone crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Raffington - the referee stops the clock and Falcone gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Raffington. Falcone manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Falcone misses the target.
Raffington thumps Falcone with a low kick.
Falcone misses with a leg kick
and Raffington counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Raffington lands an overhand right.
Raffington displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Falcone throws out the jab.
Raffington blocks the body kick.
Raffington wants to land a leg kick but Falcone is out of range.
Raffington will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Raffington steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Falcone.
Falcone throws a leg kick
and Raffington counters with a slapping leg kick.
Falcone keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raffington swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Raffington swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Raffington thows a leg kick but Falcone checks it
enabling Falcone to counter with a crisp jab.
Raffington throws a nice outside leg kick.
Falcone ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Falcone scores with a decent looking hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Raffington fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Falcone checks it well.
A little feinted left hand from Falcone on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Raffington lands a nice hook to Falcone's body. Falcone takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Raffington looks to score with a jab to the body but Falcone is just out of range.
A jab lands there for Raffington.
Raffington on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Falcone. Falcone obviously looking to wear him down.
Falcone keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot by Raffington.
Raffington moves away from the strike by Falcone.
Falcone tries to work over Raffington's front leg with a kick but Raffington checks it.
Raffington tries to land a body kick
and Falcone counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Falcone checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Raffington swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shane Raffington has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Raffington darts in and clinches Falcone up against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Raffington scores with a nice short uppercut.
Raffington misses with a short punch on the inside.

Falcone's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A big right from Raffington misses.
Falcone swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Raffington attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Falcone appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Raffington gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Falcone lands a jab to the head.
Falcone throws a shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Raffington misses with an uppercut
and Raffington takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Falcone uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Raffington has time to react.
Raffington looks to land a right hand but Falcone moved out of range.
Raffington misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Falcone cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Falcone lands an overhand right.

Raffington is rocked!
Falcone cracks Raffington with a brutal left hook that knocks him out cold! This one is over in a flash! Game over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:42 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Anthony Falcone!
During a confident post fight interview, Anthony Falcone thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.